Official Text and Analysis.

Replaces intent section language regarding the severity of work-related musculoskeletal injuries with findings regarding a decline in such injuries over a specified period.

Replaces intent section language regarding the 10 severity of work-related musculoskeletal injuries with findings regarding a state Supreme Court case on the authority of the Department of Labor and Industries to address serious ergonomics- related hazards through its general safety regulatory authority.

Removes the bill's repeal of the restriction on regulating work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics, and instead provides that the Department of Labor and Industries may not adopt similar rules for manufacturing employees until and to the extent comparable rules applying to manufacturing employees are required by the federal government.

Adds legislative intent language specifying that: musculoskeletal and related regulations adopted by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) are not intended to apply to small businesses; and it isi ntendedthat L&Iprovide specificsupport to small businesses in their development and implementation of guidelines.

Removes the bill's repeal of the restriction on regulating work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics, and instead provides that the Department of Labor and Industries may not adopt similar rules for employee home offices until and to the extent comparable rules applying to employee home offices are required by the federal government.

Removes the bill's repeal of the restriction on regulating work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics, and instead provides that the Department of Labor and Industries may not adopt similar rules for construction employers until and to the extent comparable rules applying to construction employers are required by the federal government.

Adds intent language: regarding existing safety and health consultation services and small business needs; and specifying that the Legislature intends for the Department of Labor and Industries to provide certain support and assistance to small businesses in the adoption of any ergonomic regulations.

Removes the bill's repeal of the restriction on regulating work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics, and instead provides limited authority to the Department of Labor and Industries to adopt specific rules for state agencies, with 4 approval by the Legislature.

Removes the bill's repeal of the restriction on regulating work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics, and instead provides that the Department of Labor and Industries may only adopt similar rules if legislation specifically authorizes their adoption.

Removes the bill's repeal of the restriction on regulating work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics, and instead provides that the Department of Labor and Industries may not adopt similar rules for agricultural employers until and to the extent comparable rules applying to agricultural employers are required by the federal government.

Removes the bill's repeal of the restriction on regulating work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics, and instead provides that the Department of Labor and Industries may not adopt similar rules unless an economic impact statement is completed for all impacted employers.

Removes the bill's repeal of the restriction on regulating work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics, and instead provides that the Department of Labor and Industries may not adopt similar rules that mandate the use of a risk assessment tool for certain tasks.

Adds a referendum clause.

Removes the bill's repeal of the restriction on regulating work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics, and instead provides that the Department of Labor and Industries may not adopt similar rules until causation and remedies have been conclusively established by a preponderance of the medical and scientific community.

Removes the bill's repeal of the restriction on regulating work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics, and instead provides that the Department of Labor and Industries may not adopt similar rules until it develops a job displacement and retraining plan for employees whose jobs are replaced by automation.

Repeals the restriction on the regulation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics, except for home offices.